NEW SCIROCCO GETS SET:Volkswagen is finalising tests on its upcoming Scirocco model. Caught testing in Death Valley in the US, the new Scirocco will keep the bold, aggressive look of the Iroc concept car first seen at the 2006 Paris Motor Show.
These latest photos, taken during hot weather testing in the US, capture a prototype of the new coupé.
Under the skin, the Scirocco will share the same powertrain and platform as the Volkswagen Eos convertible.
The Scirocco is a revival of the sporty hatchback coupé that Volkswagen sold in Europe from 1975 to 1991. It went through two model generations and now, 20 years later, maintains a dedicated cult following. The successor of the Scirocco was the short-lived Corrado from 1992 to 1996. The Corrado was a good car, but its high price during a time when consumers weren't responding to small sports coupés caused VW execs to kill it off prematurely.
Now, with the success of the Gti and Golf R32, VW feels the time is right to bring back such a vehicle.
Engines will range from the turbocharged 1.4-litre 170bhp unit currently in the Golf GT, to the 3.2-litre engine from the range-topping Golf.
GM REGAINS CROWN AS BIGGEST CARMAKER:
General Motors has regained its crown as the world's biggest carmaker in the second quarter.
Toyota toppled GM in the first three months of the year from the throne that the Detroit carmaker has occupied since 1931.
But GM reported global sales of 2.4 million vehicles between April and June, putting it ahead of Toyota's 2.36 million. The Japanese group remains narrowly ahead over the first half of 2007, and is still widely expected to emerge in the top spot for the year as a whole.
JAPAN'S CARMAKERS SUSPEND PRODUCTION:
All of Japan's eight carmakers announced short-term plans to suspend production at all or some domestic factories after the country's top supplier of piston rings, Riken, was damaged in an earthquake last week. Production at all of Toyota's Japanese plants and seven affiliates was suspended last Thursday. Lost production is expected to account for 55,000 vehicles.
Honda Nissan, Daihatsu, Suzuki, Subaru, Mitsubishi and Mazda all reported suspended production, but were due to return to normal by yesterday.
JAP-FEST FOR MONDELLO:
Ireland's first-ever Japanese Performance Car and Motorsport show, Jap-Fest, will take place in Mondello Park on September 9th 2007. The show will be a joint promotion between Ireland's premier motorsport venue, Mondello Park, and Modified Car Show organisers, Xtreme Promotions.
Jap-Fest will feature Japanese car tuners competing for supremacy not only in the Mondello Park Drag Sprint, but also over a full lap in the first Mondello Park organised "Time Attack".
These competitions will be joined on the bill by a challenge event for Ireland's top 16 drift competitors, which will be the highlight of the day for the growing band of Irish drifting fans.